28 August 2012

Please welcome author Maria Zannini and her newest release!Thank you Maria, for stopping by today with your new paranormal-historical novel. Aren't the 'Pirate boys' just the cutest rotties ever? Love it!

A young woman at the helm of a pirate ship braves ghouls, ghosts and werewolves to find her father--or avenge his death.

Luísa Tavares has a list of sins the length of the Antilles, but there’s no time to repent for them now. When a pockmarked Frenchman hands her Papa’s ring—still attached to his severed finger—she orders the Coral back to the Caribbean, despite her father’s earlier warning never to return.

It’s Luísa’s luckless fate that the only man who can help her is a blasted Inglés pirate hunter who’s more dead than alive and locked in a curse he doesn’t want lifted. Worse, his feral sensuality sparks a hunger she can’t ignore.

Xander Daltry hadn’t planned on kidnapping this wild woman—or succumbing to his uncontrollable desire for her. But he needs Luísa and the moonstone she wears around her neck to rescind a witch’s spell. His sister, long dead, and others like her have been cursed to remain in the mortal plane for eternity. Only the stone can set them free.

The only way to convince the reluctant pirate queen to help him is to withhold one small bit of the truth. For if she learns who really betrayed her father, the longing in her fiery eyes could easily turn to murderous wrath…

Welcome back to Researching For Romance, a weekly
series revealing my fabulous finds for use in writing. Please feel free to
share any great sites that offer greater information on whatever topic is
featured. :}

The Origination Of A Phrase: Bite The Bullet

We've all heard the above phrase. There are different variations to the sentiment, and equally different meanings. The term can apply to taking a chance, stepping up to the plate, or even to death. Time has a way of 'turning a phrase', so to speak.

During my research into Native American culture, specifically the Plains Indians, I discovered where the phrase originated through reading. Apparently, white buffalo hunters, after finding themselves on the wrong end of a Comanche spear (or perhaps more apt - after finding their friends and acquaintances on the wrong end of Comanche spears) decided it better to take their own lives rather than end up captive to a war party.

Victims were tortured horribly when caught killing buffalo solely for their hides. The Indians wanted to send a powerful warning to those slaughtering their very means of survival. Tensions had escalated for years over thinning herds and shrinking hunting grounds. As a result, Comanche (Not only Comanche, I'd like to add) warriors actively sought to destroy the men responsible. Speared to the ground, men were discovered with their ears, tongues, and even genitals severed and stuffed into their mouths. Some were skinned and left for dead, just as they had left the buffalo. Others were used as a base for cooking fires, the cast off buffalo carcasses roasted on the captive's belly. Brutal, no? White buffalo hunters feared capture (and most importantly what would come after capture) more than death - and can you blame them? Not without irony do I note that these adventurers, so intent on financial gain, 'Bit The Bullet' so to speak in chancing capture to hunt the buffalo in the first place. But I digress...

Nearly all hunters carried a .50 calibre cartridge that had been emptied and filled with cyanide. Hence, when the day was lost, they would 'Bite The Bullet' rather than face the alternative - capture and certain torture at the hands of a war party. I had never heard this before. My introduction and understanding of the phrase had led me to believe its gist was 'taking a chance' or 'testing fate'. While the phrase has taken on this meaning since those days, its origin reveals a much more sinister beginning.

22 August 2012

The last few days have been a mixture of image selection, option choosing, tag-line finding, and anxious/excited stomach-roiling waiting. It was worth every blessed second. Many, many thanks to Elaina at For The Muse Design !

Without further ado, I happily share my latest cover...

۩A
Practical Arrangement, Nadja Notariani ۩

Miss Evangeline Grey, intelligent and sensible, has no
desire to marry, her reluctance born from the dire warnings of her
overly emotional mother. Her father has other ideas, however, and
decrees that unless she weds by the spring, he will choose a husband
for her.

Prim and proper Evangeline accepts her father's issue
with little more than mild alarm. Knowing herself plain of face and
sharp of tongue, she believes herself capable of warding off any
perspective suitor. Her plan goes awry when the scandalous seducer,
Mr. Thomas Masterson, visits her family's home, for Thomas has
learned that he must procure a wife to receive his full inheritance.

When he discovers Evangeline's predicament matches his
own, Thomas determines to orchestrate a practical arrangement. A war
of wit and word results, and Thomas finds himself ever more beguiled
by the soft heart he discovers under Miss Grey's stern, inhibited
exterior. Patiently, he endeavors to gain her respect and awaken her
passions. As tenuous trust blooms between the rake and the
reluctant, unfortunate events – and Thomas' past reputation –
threaten to destroy the peace and happiness he has found within the
bonds of his Practical Arrangement.

Amazon greeted me this morning with an email notifying eligible authors of new distribution channels in India. This is wonderful! India is one of the worlds emerging markets, second I believe only to China, ( please don't quote me on that...lol). Amazon, IMHO, makes a wise financial move based on the available data.

I don't know about you, but I adore 'Bollywood' movies! Indian movie-makers delight this viewer with colorful sets, interesting characters, and musical extravaganzas! I mention Bollywood because it suggests the Indian public ( at least enough 'public' to support a popular movie industry) enjoys the arts. This author is quite pleased at the newly opened Indian distribution channel. Here's to new readers!

Changing direction...I should have my new cover by the end of the business day, and hope to reveal tomorrow. I. LOVE. IT. I wanted feminine and fresh for this cover, and Elaina at For The Muse Design delivered. I may look into having some book-swag designed as well, for I plan to release A Practical Arrangement in print also!

A book tour, submitting to review sites, and final edits/formatting will consume my week. Hope all my ROW80 friends are hitting their mid-week stride!

21 August 2012

Stop by to join in the holiday extravaganza! Here's how: (Click over to BTS for Linky List Sign-Up!)

Welcome! We are so happy to announce that 3 great touring companies have joined together to bring you this wonderful hop! BTS, CBLS, and Full Moon Bites proudly present the Christmas Wishes Giveaway Hop!!
We are hoping to be able to giveaway 2 E-Readers, A Nook Glow and A Kindle Touch 3G, but we need your help. Donations for the grand prize will be accepted until Dec 2. Please contact viajeradelmar@aol.com for your information on how to donate money!
Since we have had such a lovely run this year working with all of the lovely authors, we have decided to also give away one touring package each! So three lucky authors will walk away with their very own book tour to kick off the New Year!Now let’s go over a few things:
Please, copy the button and paste it on your blog!! (Either on the sidebar or make a post about it) The more people we get involved, the more fun for everyone involved!! Anyone can sign up. If you are new to the hop idea but would love to participate, just comment here or email me @ viajeradelmar@aol.com. I will be happy to walk you through the process or explain things in greater detail. Please include whether your giveaway is US only or Int on the linky form.

The Rules:

1. Posts must be up at midnight on the 7th. We will be checking!! Any post not up by the allotted time will be deleted from the event. So if you are in a different time zone, post the night before. It is ok to be early but not ok to be late.
2. Posts must include the hop button which I will be sending out to you a week before it is supposed to go live.
3. Posts must include the linky list, the links to the next three bloggers, or a link back to either BTS, CBLS, or Full Moon Bites. We want everyone to be able to hop to all the sites.
4. Your giveaway can be anything but it must include either something book related(print books, e-books, gift-cards, swag, reading lights) or Christmas themed. Designers are more than welcome to join in as well and offer services, different buttons or blog design items, as well as packages.
5. Have fun Everyone is responsible for their own individual giveaway. Participants need to announce their winners within 48 hours of the hops end.Please include whether your giveaway is US only or Int on the linky form.

19 August 2012

Things are eerily quiet, even as I busily tap away on my keyboard, writing guest posts, plotting new concepts. I am engrossed in the final pages of a beta read on "The Call Of The Gods", and while not my usual genre, it is an uncommonly good story. Add in brainstorming with a fellow writer - on a topic wholly foreign to my experience - and that sums up this writer's week. (I suppose that's the draw - a new adventure!)

So...how can I claim that eerie quiet I mention?

My novel is off in beta land. It's a season of waiting. The winds are picking up a bit, as my cover designer and I are now emailing back and forth, nailing down final, finer details on my new cover, but the full gale blast of this storm we call publishing has yet to hit land! I'm more than ready. (Did I ever mention that I am terrible at waiting? Ha!)

But I needed this calm before the whirl-wind picks me up and carries me away. I've plenty to accomplish, things I've neglected while in the final push of writing, typing, and blurb writing. When items on my 'to-do' list pile up, I feel the weight of them surely as if I carried an elephant on my back. Completing these offers a sense of 'right-ness' with the world. It cleans off my desk and de-clutters my mind. For this, I am thankful. My attention can be focused solely on edits in the upcoming week or two - with nothing looming over my shoulder whispering, 'Look over here! I need your attention!' Ahhh. :}

Progress On The Writing And Goals Front...

* Another read-through on A Practical Arrangement will begin tomorrow morning.

* Cover design to be revealed within the week. The fun begins...

* Beta accomplished by the end of the day - and sent off. I've only twenty pages remaining, and I NEED to know...you know?

* Work on my Erotic Anthology project blossomed. I spoke with a woman who told me an interesting story...

* Guest post written and sent.

* Sales continue to climb. Claiming The Prize is garnering sudden interest! (I posted on this the other day!)

* Research continues. I am 89% complete on one of my titles, and 50% complete on the other.

* I've written one post for Researching For Romance. It is waiting in the wings.

* I cooked! Hot weather dampens my enthusiasm for cooking. The last two days have hinted that autumn is not far off. The cooler temperatures lured me into my kitchen, much to the happiness of my family. Chicken noodle soup, Stroganoff, and brownies are a few of the boys' favorite treats I whipped up. Hubby enjoyed Beef Biryani - and while not an Indian dish, he didn't complain.

* Only fair success with exercise since Wednesday. Friday I pulled a mega-workout. I felt terrific...until Saturday. Ha! Why, oh why didn't I drink the protein after that workout??? Stupid girl... :}

* Social goals have been met.

* I am supposed to go blueberry picking with a friend. The weather has been most uncooperative. This week maybe?

Don't forget to stop by and see how fellow ROW80 writers have made out this week.
Happy Reading And Writing!

16 August 2012

A year ago, almost to the day, I published my first novel, Claiming The Prize. The story centers around an up-and-coming MMA fighter looking to break into the premier mixed-martial-arts organization. Here's the blurb:

Claiming The Prize, Nadja Notariani

Walking a solitary, disciplined path in his pursuit to become the light
heavyweight champion of the American-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Organization, Drago
Zadrovec leaves the security of his homeland to train in the United States. But
once within the exclusive MMA organization, Drago finds himself increasingly
drawn to his mentor's daughter, Grace Antolini. Quiet and gentle, yet
thoroughly immersed in the world in which he exists, Grace captures his heart as
firmly as his quest for the title, igniting a long buried passion inside the
fighter. Subjecting his body to the brutality of the cage and opening his heart
to the woman he desires to share his life with, Drago comes to
understand that his journey is comprised of more than want of victory in the
ultimate goal of Claiming The Prize......

Claiming The Prize was inspired by many years of sitting in gymnasiums, watching my son train in wrestling, jujitsu, Muay-Thai kickboxing, and boxing, which in turn led to my enthusiasm and appreciation of the sport. However great my enthusiasm, MMA is not a sport many women actively follow - at least comments from my Hot Jocks In July Giveaway led me to believe.

While reading at Juliana Haygert's site this evening, I discovered a newly published title featuring an MMA fighter! I'm over the moon, as readers are grabbing up this title - and delving into the world of MMA - with a healthy side-helping of romance - hot romance from what I read! I hope the new-found love affair with cage fighting heroes, coupled with the potent romance combination, will encourage readers to seek similar titles - namely, Claiming The Prize!

If you've read my small blurb to the right, you'll see that I consider myself a storyteller. Oh, I bandy about the word author, toss in the term writer, but strip it all down to the basics and I find myself enamored by the word storyteller.

As far back as history goes, storytelling gathered family and friend round the fire, ignited the imaginations of children, explained the mysteries of life. The men and women who honed their craft, weaving stories of deceit and danger, folly and vanity, love and loss, captivated their audiences, taught lessons. Some stories were handed down, generation after generation, and remain with us to this day, thousands of years later.

I've loved tales since I was quite young. "Tell me a story," I'd plead, expectantly waiting for my grandfather to comply, which he often did. Oh, he read me fairy tales, Bible stories of long ago ancestors, but he also told stories of his life. I drank these in with unquenchable thirst. My grandmothers did this as well. Their life stories enthralled me. Tales of the depression, of young girls frolicking about the farm, of meagre meals, of dropping out of school to enter the hell fires of a steel mill - these fascinated me. Still do. My grandparents are sadly, long passed from this world, but I gather my stories even today, befriending my elderly neighbors, sharing experiences with girlfriends who have grown up in different areas, experienced foreign cultures. It satisfies and feeds the soul.

Storytelling is a gift, one I hope to hone and practice for many years. In writing stories, I hope to lure readers to experience escape, to indulge romantic notions, to go where they might else not.

Also reading Ride The Wind, Lucia St. Clair Robson. This is an epic historical novel. It is Robson's telling of the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was stolen by Comanche Indians after witnessing the brutal slaying of her family. Cynthia Ann Parker, who some of you may know became the mother of one of the last war chiefs of the Plains, lived an extraordinary life. This is her story.

* Write new post for Researching For Romance. I have not accomplished this yet. Now that my novel is in the hands of beta readers, I hope to focus on some post writing that begs my attention.

* Don't forget to check in with Spellbound Scribes! The monthly topic is Villains. Claudia LeFeve's post, When Bad Guys Turn Good is up. With five Scribes in the mix, each week is sure to offer a new perspective.

* I have two cookbooks sitting on my side table. I hope to select and cook something delish in the next day or so. My husband, who has been suffering with takeout over the last few weeks as I wrote the final touches, typed myself stupid, and traipsed all over the place, is begging for some spicy Indian food. After such patience, I must placate - he deserves a treat.

* Also on the list is my Erotic Anthology outline and submission. Perhaps next week I will be able to settle down and focus on that project.

* As always, Shiny-New-Idea-Syndrome has struck. While I cannot complain, as I am never left wondering what I might write next, I do have to handle my business before I allow myself to indulge in the wonderful story I've begun conjuring. Arrgh. I can barely contain myself. *all-smiles-here*

* I exercised yesterday, my first in about three or four days. I took a ridiculous tumble, slipping in my kitchen and crashing onto my rumpus, entertaining all present. Phew. *Note to self* I. Do. Not. Bend. That. Way. Advil was my dear, dear friend.

12 August 2012

Another week has sifted through our fingers, the days slipping by with uncanny speed! But I've a light heart and satisfied grin plastered upon my face. The Typing Saga has ended. Today I begin my read through before sending off my latest historical novel to beta readers. Edits loom ahead, but apart from a few scenes I may add, critique issues that are brought to my attention, and basic grammar/punctuation proofing, A Practical Arrangement is finished. I foresee no major changes to be made, and that has me smiling like a ninny!

Evangeline Grey spilled onto the page with ease, her staunch manner and easily ruffled sensibilities leaving great opportunity for my hero, Thomas Masterson, to antagonize her at every opportunity. I loved the chemistry between these very different personalities. As the story progressed, not only did they soften toward one another, they came to view their relationships with others with new understanding. This is a story of the human condition in all its splendor and vexation. It is a love affair borne not out of heated passions and initial attraction, but from an unlikely alliance brought about by necessity - and a bit of conspiring.

Miss Evangeline Grey, intelligent and sensible, has no
desire to marry, her reluctance born from the dire warnings of her
overly emotional mother. Her father has other ideas, however, and
decrees that unless she weds by the spring, he will choose a husband
for her.

Prim and proper Evangeline accepts her father's issue
with little more than mild alarm. Knowing herself plain of face and
sharp of tongue, she believes herself capable of warding off any
perspective suitor. Her plan goes awry when the scandalous seducer,
Mr. Thomas Masterson, visits her family's home, for Thomas has
learned that he must procure a wife to receive his full inheritance.

When he discovers Evangeline's predicament matches his
own, Thomas determines to orchestrate a practical arrangement. A war
of wit and word results, and Thomas finds himself ever more beguiled
by the soft heart he discovers under Miss Grey's stern, inhibited
exterior. Patiently, he endeavors to gain her respect and awaken her
passions. As tenuous trust blooms between the rake and the
reluctant, unfortunate events – and Thomas' past reputation –
threaten to destroy the peace and happiness he has found within the
bonds of his Practical Arrangement.

On The Writing Front...Upcoming Goals List

* Read at least once, maybe twice before sending A Practical Arrangement to beta readers. This is to be completed by next Sunday at the absolute latest. I would like to have this accomplished by Wednesday.

* Beta read a novella I've taken on for a fellow writer and have critique sent by next Wednesday.

* Reveal cover for A Practical Arrangement on or about 20 August.

* Create top tab on my page for cover and blurb.

* Continue to visit five blogs Monday through Friday to check in with writer-ly friends.

* Once the above goals are accomplished (apart from cover reveal) begin edits in earnest. Obviously, I will need beta and critique feedback to complete, but in the meantime, I'll make hay while the sun shines.

* Complete outline and character profiles for Erotic Anthology project.

* Begin writing a piece of 10K - 15K for submission.

* Link up with BTS.

* Submit a guest post I've been invited to write.

* Write a few Researching For Romance posts as I've new material to share!

* Continue Native American research, which is more like fun that work! Compile notes for future novel. Gah! I'm so excited about this. Shiny New Idea has struck me like a lightening bolt.

08 August 2012

Didn't want to miss a ROW80 check-in, so I'm waving frantically to everyone!

It's been a busy week with family visiting. Swimming, picnicking, and a trip to the Big Apple has consumed my days. It was so exciting to be able to take my niece to NYC for her first visit. She ooh-ed and aww-ed as the city skyline came into view - and nearly plotzed when we rounded the corner of Fifth Avenue and she spied the windows of the American Girl store!

My nine-year old loved Central Park, climbing on the rocks and feeding the ducks (he's a nature boy!) - and he fed birds in front of the Public Library building. But his favorite adventure was the Liberty Island tour - well, the boat ride! Ha.

Anyone who claims that city folk are indifferent hasn't had our experience in the city! We had dashed in crazy manner to Battery Park to catch the last ferry, but as we arrived, the guards informed us that the last ferry trip had just sold out. Two guards watched on as my son struggled to contain his disappointment, and they allowed us to go down to the railings to gaze out at the Statue Of Liberty across the water. A few minutes later, the younger guard approached and informed us that we were going to be their guests, courtesy of his father, who was the other guard! They ushered us on board - and made the day of one nine-year-old boy. It really touched my heart. I don't know their names, but I'd like to pray blessings upon those two men!

In other news...writing related, that is...

* Browsing my Amazon books to see if anything of interest was happening, I discovered a smile worthy new review of Claiming The Prize! Read Review By SunFlowers. It boosted my morning considerably. :}

* Less than 40 pages remain in my typing saga. It will be completed once company departs for home tomorrow. I will be finished by Sunday, making my two week goal just in the nick of time! :}

* I've roughed out an idea for my Erotic Anthology submission, and will begin more detailed planning once A Practical Arrangement is in the hands of beta readers. I still have to name my characters and complete profiles, but this will not be as detailed as usual since the submissions will not top 15K. I'm looking forward to this project a great deal.

* Research is extremely interesting about now... I've begun reading My Life As An Indian by J.W. Schultz. Absolutely enjoyable account of one young man's life and adventures with the Blackfeet Indians!

I sure hope the sun is shining on all my ROW80 friends this week. Happy and Productive Writing!

01 August 2012

Not only is it a ROW80 check in, August's IWSG posts are up! Now I'm not sure Wednesday in and of itself holds special meaning aside from being 'hump-day', but add in two great groups of writers posting on their weekly and monthly ventures and Wednesday seems almost a bit sparkly - and much more interesting.

July has been a busy month for this gal. Two stints at the ocean, one to the lake, camping, a luau, nightly coffee and workouts with 'bestie', DS#1 and his new job, dog-sitting for DD#1, and three trips to visit DD#2 in Maryland stole the seventh month right from under my nose! I can conjure no serious regret, as it was glorious. 'GLORIOUS,' I shout with little tempered abandon.

Which brings me 'round to my point...really, there is a point, I promise. :} With all my travelings, with my boys eager to boogie-board 'just-one-more-time-Eema-please', with push-ups and yoga poses, with visits from family, picnics with friends, and all the trappings of summer, I despaired of getting any 'work' done.

Work. Another four-letter word... At least when it comes to laundry, dog-hair, and sand stuck to the bottom of the tub. But I realized something amazing and wonderful over this past month. Despite all the busy chaos life chose to heap upon me in spades, I didn't falter on my writing goals. The reason being is simple, causing me to wonder why I hadn't understood myself better in the first place. I don't really consider my writing work. I like to do it. I enjoy it.

Many of you may shake heads and sigh with knowing smiles at my epiphany. I won't mind if you do. Better than I have traveled this path, learned this lesson. We make time for the things that are dear to us. Writing is one of those things, for me.

Thankful. If I'd never faced down insecurity, never mustered the chutzpah to write that first sentence, paragraph, chapter, novel - I'd not be here today writing this post. I'm so very thankful I did. And I'm glad you all did too.

A Round Of Words...

* Sixty pages remain in the Typing Saga of A Practical Arrangement. My fingers refuse to obey at this point in the process, mixing up letters and such. I believe my spell check may revolt or even go on strike. Perhaps that little program feature will form a union and demand extra pay or something. Ha!

* I exercised this morning after a week long 'epic-fail'. I feel much better.

* Social goals have been met.

* Cooking will begin in earnest as my brother and his family will arrive Saturday for a five day visit. My menu is planned loosely. DD#2 will arrive home on Friday as well for the weekend. It will be a very busy - very full - house!

* I will begin a beta read for a fellow author once my company departs. I had the pleasure of reading the first few chapters a while ago - and cannot wait to delve into this story.

* Cover reveal for A Practical Arrangement will occur on or around 20 August! I'm on pins and needles while I wait.

Nadja Notariani: An Author's Adventures

About Me

Welcome to Nadja Notariani, An Author's Adventures. From an early age, stories filled with adventure and romance captivated my imagination. Now I have become the storyteller, and I invite you to share with me the adventures (and the struggles) in writing.